5 Weird Messaging Apps to Chat With Friends or Strangers

Chat apps are a dime a dozen, but some do things a little differently. You need to try these weird messaging apps with “features” like sending a single message at a time or talking only when you have 5% battery left.

Why would you do this? Because it’s fun! You never know who you’re going to meet in a privacy-guaranteed chat channel full of like-minded people. Even with old friends who you already know well, you can’t predict how your conversations will take a different turn because of enforced pressure.

For the more normal, everyday chats and video chats, you should still turn to the best messaging apps for phones or computers. But if you’re up for a little craziness…

Say Henlo (Web): Only One Message At a Time

Most chat apps do a stellar job of backing up every message you have ever sent. You’re also free to send unlimited messages. These chat logs are available to you forever so that you can go back later to prove a point in an argument or obsess about what someone really meant. Say Henlo has a whole new approach.

In this web-based chat app, you can only send one message at a time. You can also read only the last message sent by a contact to you. It adds a new dimension to chatting, keeping you more in the present and making sure you frame your sentences well. No more of those passive-aggressive “K.” messages.

There are two ways to talk to a person. You can either add their username and start messaging them directly. Or you can click the “Random” button to find a stranger on the internet to chat with. The latter gets interesting when you don’t have a chat log to refer to.

There is also a privacy angle to Say Henlo. Each message is deleted forever once a new message has been sent. But I wouldn’t worry too much about privacy on this app anyway.

Die With Me (Android, iOS): Start Chatting With Low Battery Users

Die With Me is one of the coolest and weirdest concepts I have come across in chat apps. In fact, in all types of apps.

The idea of Die With Me is to give you a buddy when your phone’s battery drops to 5% or below. Send your emergency texts to whoever you want, then hop on to the app to find another person somewhere in the world stuck with less than 5% battery. And start talking.

The limited amount of time to talk with someone new will force you to dispense with the pleasantries and get to start knowing that person quickly. Or maybe you can have fun and take your conversation in a whole new direction, talking about the meaningless of life after your screen dies out and the existential questions the distraction-free offline world throws at you.

It’s a really fun concept, but it also needs some luck. Not many users have downloaded the app yet, so you don’t know if you’re always going to find someone when your battery drops that low.

Download: Die With Me for Android | iOS ($1)

Stealthy (Web): Telegram-Like Chat for Decentralized Blockstack Users

Stealthy is similar to Telegram in many ways, but adds a little extra. This messaging app is based on Blockstack, the new decentralized internet ecosystem. You’ll need a Blockstack account to use it, which is easily available for free.

The advantage of a Blockstack account and Stealthy is the focus on privacy. At a time when you question the privacy of Facebook Messenger, or pretty much any other messenger from a big company, this is an important feature. Your data on a Blockstack-based app can only be read by you and the recipient since everything you put up is encrypted.

When you move beyond the privacy, Stealthy has all the features of a great messaging app. You can join channels to find like-minded people, chat with friends by adding them, share your screen, chat on video, and even do file transfers.

While there are mobile apps of Stealthy available right now, they are riddled with bugs. The team says these are not fully developed and you should wait for the official announcement to download the Android and iOS apps.

Chudo (Android, iOS): Become a Memoji-Like Cartoon Avatar and Chat

What do you mean you still do video chats as yourself? It’s almost 2019, man! Just because you don’t have the newest iPhone doesn’t mean you can’t get on the memoji bandwagon. Get yourself Chudo to become a weird cartoon avatar for live chats.

Chudo works with old and new phones, as long as your front camera works. It’ll trace your face in no time, and then you can pick and choose from the several different avatars available.

It’s simple, it’s easy, and the avatar list is updated all the time. You’ll be shocked at how well it works with old iPhones and Android phones.

Download: Chudo for Android | iOS (Free)

Evry (Android, iOS): Browser to Chat on Any Web Page

Technically, Evry is a mobile web browser. But its focus on being a “social browser” turns it into a bit of a chat app too. Evry wants you to be able to talk with your friends on any web page, while within a browser.

It’s a basic comment-based system, but your friends can be tagged anywhere. So while you are browsing, you can tag a friend and leave a comment for them to understand why you think they should see the page. Once they visit it, they can reply to you. And like any modern messaging app, there are reactions for likes and comments.

Naturally, like any browser, you can add bookmarks, try a private mode, and so on. But the focus is on the social browsing part.

Download: Evry Browser for Android | iOS (Free)

How to Start Random Chats

These weird and unique messaging apps can be used to talk with friends or with strangers. It’s always more fun to chat with people you already know and then add layers like time or message restrictions, or weird emojis.

But it can be a little intimidating to talk with strangers. How do you begin? What do you say? Here are a few tips to start random chats worth having.

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LG’s New Projector: A 90-Inch 4K Display From 2 Inches Away

Gone are the days when a projector needed to sit across the room from the wall. Now, they can get closer than ever. In fact, some can work from just inches away. Of course, there’s plenty of room on the market for projectors like BenQ TK800 that require more space, but it’s nice to see the field evolving.

LG has just revealed a shockingly impressive projector that actually sits just inches from the wall on which it’ll display the screen. In fact, at just two-inches from the wall, the new projector in LG’s CineBeam can project a 90-inch screen. And for anyone who thinks 90-inches of screen real estate isn’t enough, moving the CineBeam HU85L laser projector back to just seven-inches away yields a massive 120-inch screen.

More Information on the CineBeam Hu85L

As mentioned, the main thing that makes this particular projector stand out from the crowd is how close it can be to the wall. LG calls the technology that allows this to work “Ultra Short Throw (UST).” This is great because it allows the projector to be used in small rooms where moving it a few feet back just isn’t an option. It also allows for a cleaner aesthetic, since there doesn’t need to be a bulky projector hanging from the ceiling and wires running from the projector to the input devices.

Another thing that makes this projector worth a second look is its support of 4K resolution. Not only will it project from an incredibly short distance, but it’ll project an extremely high-quality picture.

The device outputs 2,500 ANSI lumens of brightness. To put that into perspective, the LG HF85JA featured an output of 1,500 ANSI lumens, so this year’s model promises to be quite a bit brighter.

For connections, the CineBeam HU85L features USB, HDMI, and Ethernet ports. It also includes LG’s ThinQ AI for voice commands, which should make navigating around the projector much more pleasant. It has the same functions as a smart TV, so it’ll run all of the streaming apps and other services users expect from a high-end device.

When Will the CineBeam Hu85L Launch?

Unfortunately, when LG announced the new projector, it didn’t say when it would be available and for how much. However, we’re only a couple of weeks away from CES, which is when we’d expect LG to provide the rest of the information.

In the meantime, if you need a projector right now, make sure to check out our review of the P1 Mini Projector.

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Google Canvas Is a Drawing App for Doodles

Google has launched a new web app called Canvas. As it’s a progressive web app, Canvas lets you draw doodles and take notes without needing to download or install anything. Which makes it ideal for Chromebook users as well as anyone else on the go.

The Art of Doodling

Lots of us like doodling when our hands aren’t occupied doing something else. Doodles aren’t meant to be works of art, unless you have an art degree and can call it “modern art”. Instead, doodles are just colorful patterns or squiggles. Like my effort above.

There are plenty of drawing apps available for any platform you care to mention, but most of them require you to download and install a program. Canvas doesn’t. It’s a web app that anyone can use simply by pointing their web browser at canvas.apps.chrome.

Google Launches Canvas

Canvas was first spotted by Chrome Unboxed. However, as Google hasn’t yet formally announced Canvas, it’s impossible to know how long it has been around. What we do know is that it showed up as an app in a recent Chrome OS build in the Dev channel.

Now, it’s available to everyone either using Chrome or another web browser that supports WebAssembly. And while Canvas isn’t designed to let artists create fantastic works of art, it has everything you need to be able to doodle, sketch, and take notes.

The Basics of Google Canvas

You get a blank sheet of paper with various tools to use. There’s a pencil, a pen, a marker, chalk, and an eraser. By clicking on your tool of choice twice you can change the size and opacity of the mark each one leaves on the paper.

Clicking on the black spot above the tools opens the color pallette. Here, you can pick from a selection of colors prebuilt into the pallette, or click Custom to create your own color. You can then save the hex code to ensure you can use the same color again in future.

If you create a doodle you’re particularly proud of you can export your drawing by clicking on the three dots in the top, right-hand corner. And as you’re logged into your Google account, your saved work is available across a range of different devices.

Google Should Keep Developing Canvas

Canvas is very basic right now, but there’s nothing stopping Google from continuing to work on it, building new features in as they go. Who knows, maybe one day Canvas will enable those with the talent to do so the ability to create actual works of art.

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What’s the Difference Between 32-Bit and 64-Bit Windows?

When you consider Windows versions, you might think of the Home or Pro editions. While these are indeed different, there’s another factor that separates Windows versions: Is the system 32-bit or 64-bit?

You might have heard the terms 32-bit and 64-bit thrown around, but never really understood them. Let’s take a look at where these designations come from, and what they mean for your computing experience.

What Makes a Computer 32 or 64-Bit?

Whether your computer architecture is 32-bit or 64-bit depends on the processor (CPU) inside your computer. The majority of computer processors fall into one of these two categories, with 64-bit superseding 32-bit over the past several years. 64-bit processors are exponentially more powerful than their 32-bit counterparts because they can hold and process so much more information.

To understand the magnitude of the differences between 32-bit and 64-bit, you have to understand a bit about counting in binary. Unlike our decimal system, which has ten digits per place, binary only has two: 0 or 1.

Thus, a 32-bit number has 2^32 possible addresses, or 4,294,967,296. Conversely, a 64-bit number’s capacity is 2^64, or 18,446,744,073,709,551,616. Comparing ~4 billion bytes (about 4 gigabytes) to ~18 quintillion bytes (about 18 billion gigabytes or 16 exabytes) showcases the vast difference.

You can choose between the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows that Microsoft provides when you download and install it.

How Windows Differs Between 32-Bit and 64-Bit

If you’re using a 64-bit processor, you also need to use a 64-bit version of Windows to take advantage of it. 32-bit versions of Windows work on 64-bit processors, but can’t use the extra power.

You can’t install a 64-bit version of Windows on 32-bit processors. However, 64-bit Windows is backward compatible with 32-bit software, as we’ll discuss.

There are two major places you’ll notice the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit in Windows. One is that a 32-bit version of Windows can only utilize up to 4GB of RAM (or less). Thus, if you have 16GB of RAM in your computer, but it’s running 32-bit Windows, it won’t actually use more than 4GB.

The other place you’ll find a difference is the Program Files folder. On a 32-bit version of Windows, apps will install to the only Program Files folder. 64-bit systems have an additional Program Files (x86) folder for 32-bit software. This is because writing software for a 32-bit architecture is vastly different from writing it for a 64-bit system.

When programs want to grab some shared information, like DLLs, they need to look in the correct Program Files directory. This is why Windows keeps them separate. A 32-bit program would have no idea what to do with a 64-bit DLL.

Note that in Windows, 32-bit is referred to as x86, and 64-bit is called x64.

Ancient versions of Windows, like Windows 3.1, ran 16-bit software. 32-bit versions of Windows are backward-compatible with these legacy programs. If you have a 64-bit machine, however, you can’t run archaic 16-bit software. You’ll have to turn to emulating a 32-bit operating system.

In addition, 64-bit Windows requires 64-bit device drivers. If you have an old printer or something that only offers 32-bit drivers, it won’t work on your modern 64-bit system.

Differences Between 32-Bit and 64-Bit Programs

When you install software, it varies by vendor whether you get a 32-bit or 64-bit version. Some developers only provide a 32-bit version, sometimes they let you choose, and still others automatically install the right version for you.

If you’re running a 64-bit version of Windows, you should install the 64-bit versions of software whenever you can. But don’t fret if a vendor doesn’t offer a 64-bit version, as the 32-bit edition should work just fine.

64-bit versions of programs probably won’t blow you away with increased speed. However, they do take advantage of the increased security of 64-bit architecture and can utilize more than 4GB of RAM at a time. They’re thus often more stable and efficient than their 32-bit counterparts.

Keep an eye out for links such as Versions or Editions on vendors’ download pages to see if they offer a 64-bit version. Because 32-bit software works on every system, it’s understandably the default for some vendors.

Of course, if you’re on a 32-bit system, only 32-bit software will work for you.

Am I Running 64-Bit or 32-Bit Windows?

Now that we’ve discussed the differences between 32 and 64-bit versions of Windows, we can find out which version you’re using.

On Windows 10, right-click the Start Button and choose System. You can also browse to Settings > System > About. Here, you’ll see a Device specifications header.

Next to System Type, Windows lists whether your installation is 32 or 64-bit, plus your processor architecture.

On Windows 7 and earlier, right-click Computer in the Start Menu and choose Properties. Use the Win + Pause shortcut to open this menu on any version of Windows. You’ll see the System type entry with your OS and CPU architecture.

Both panels also list your Installed RAM here. On a 32-bit system, this will note something like 4GB usable if you have over 4GB installed.

Can I Upgrade 32-Bit Windows to 64-Bit Windows?

Your processor and operating system bit sizes should match. But if they don’t, you might be able to upgrade. If you’re running a 32-bit version of Windows 10 on a 64-bit processor, you can follow our guide to upgrade to 64-bit Windows.

Those running a 32-bit version of Windows on a 32-bit processor can’t upgrade. You’ll need to purchase a new machine to take advantage of 64-bit. Any decent computer manufactured in the last several years should include a 64-bit processor and 64-bit Windows.

Now You Know How 32-Bit and 64-Bit Differ

64-bit computing is the new standard, but it hasn’t always been this way. While Windows XP offered a 64-bit version, it caused a headache of compatibility issues, so few people used it. Use of 64-bit systems didn’t become too popular until Windows 7, and 64-bit is the standard for Windows 10 today.

4GB of RAM, which was an unfathomable amount when CPUs were first designed, is still a workable amount of memory for light use. However, as component prices continue to drop, low-end machines keep shipping with more RAM. Eventually,this will make 32-bit systems completely obsolete.

In turn, developers will focus on developing 64-bit software, which will be the standard for a long, long time. We probably won’t hit that RAM ceiling for some time; just imagine what you could do with a terabyte of RAM!

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Bellabeat’s new hybrid smartwatch tracks your stress…and goes with your outfit

Bellabeat, the company behind a variety of health and wellness wearable devices aimed at women, is now selling its first smartwatch. The device, which is simply called “Time,” was announced earlier this month right in the midst of holiday shopping season. Like other fitness trackers, the watch is capable of basic tasks like counting your steps, tracking sleep patterns, and reminding you to move. But unlike traditional smartwatches -which, aesthetically, are still very much just a screen on your wrist – the Time is designed to look like jewelry.

The hybrid device looks like a watch – albeit not a very expensive one.

It’s squarely in the range of fashion jewelry, with either silver or rose gold stainless steel finishes to choose from, and a minimalist watch face that forgoes complications like the date or the moon phase, for example. It even lacks a second hand.

That said, I prefer its cleaner look-and-feel to the gaudier smartwatches put out by brands like Michael Kors and Fossil. (Plus, there’s no Android Wear/Wear OS to contend with here.)

As an analog watch, it has both its pros and cons.

It’s designed to be hypoallergenic so as not to irritate those with sensitive skin, and it has some water resistance. (ATM grade 3, meaning it can withstand a vigorous hand washing and the rain. You can’t swim, bathe or dive with it.)

You also don’t have to charge it, which makes it feel more like a “real” watch than a gadget.

However, there’s a potential downside here, too – the coin cell battery only lasts “up to” 6 months. You’ll then need to use the tiny tool it ships with to replace the old battery with a new one.

Of course, some will see a user-replaceable battery as a perk. I don’t, but that’s a personal preference on my part.

I much prefer just dropping my Apple Watch onto a charger rather than having to keep up with a small watch tool, which can be easy to lose or misplace in the time between repairs. I’m also not a fan of having to unscrew tiny screws and then finding some sort of small, sharp object to pop out the battery. Perhaps that’s because I have a child with a dozen or so battery-operated toys. I’m constantly unscrewing things to replace batteries, and frankly I don’t need another.

In any event, among the watch’s better aspects is the fact that it packages up fitness and wellness tracking in a device that passes as a regular – and even fairly attractive – piece of fashion jewelry. The Time will go better with some of your outfits where you just don’t think the Apple Watch works – even with one of Apple’s fancier bands.

Of course, it’s not as seamless to use Time as the Apple Watch, which has the Apple platform advantage. (Or an Android smartwatch paired with an Android phone, for that matter.)

Instead, you have to sync your activity between the watch and the third-party Bellabeat app to view things like the steps taken or hours slept. You do so by taping a sync button in the app and double-tapping on the watch face.

The app can also serve as way to keep up with other aspects of your health and wellness, including your hydration goals, stress, meditation time, and your period.

The stress metrics are calculated for you, based on factors like activity levels, sleep quality, reproductive health, and meditation over the past week. But hydration and menstruation have to be logged manually (*unless you’re using Bellabeat Spring – see below.)

The mediation tracking only calculates your progress through the app’s own selection of over 30 included exercises. While it’s nice to have access to those resources included in the app, many people are already using popular meditation apps like Calm or Headspace. An “import” option for externally-logged “mindful minutes” would have been nice here.

One of Time’s better features are its silent alarms and inactivity alerts. Instead of pings and loud noises, the watch more calmly reminds you of things with vibrations you configure. There are also included alarms for waking up, taking your vitamins, taking your contraception pill, and another general alarm setting, each with their own toggle switches and settings.

There is something to be said for a quieter smartwatch, especially if stress levels are a concern. (There’s also something to be said for a device that’s built by a woman with the needs of women in mind. Remember how long it took for Apple to realize period tracking was a thing?)

That said, it’s unfortunately becoming harder for smaller device makers to compete with the Apple Watch, which has now moved into advanced areas with its Series 4 line, which sports life-saving ECG and fall detection features, along with smarter workout detection (and yes, you can still swim with it), plus its ability to work with the broader iOS app ecosystem in a more native way.

But the Apple Watch is pricier at $399 and up for current models. Bellabeat’s Time, by comparison, is $179.

The Bellabeat mobile app will work with other Bellabeat products, including its wellness tracker Leaf (which can be worn as a bracelet, necklace, clip, etc.), and $59 smart water bottle, Spring.

Combined, the Spring and Time could be a good entry point into the world of fitness and wellness trackers for those who never felt that wearables and trackers were right for them. Bellabeat’s line is more of a lifestyle choice based just as much on looks as on tech, if not more so.

The question now is whether or not Bellabeat can carve out a big enough slice of the smartwatch market, which continues to be dominated by Apple, to sustain itself in the years ahead.

Bellabeat was a Y Combinator 2014 grad founded by female entrepreneur Urska Srsen, and has raised ~$19 million to date, according to Crunchbase. It previously sold products for expectant mothers, as well, but those have been phased out. Bellabeat declined to share any user metrics or revenue figures, when asked.

 

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Spot is a cryptocurrency app to control all your wallets and exchange accounts

Meet Spot, a beautifully-designed mobile app to control your cryptocurrencies. Spot looks like a portfolio tracking app. But the company has built a strong foundation to add more features in the coming months. Spot wants to be your unique gateway to the world of cryptocurrencies.

“Spot’s vision isn’t to build a portfolio tracker — we went a bit overboard with this feature,” co-founder and CEO Edouard Steegmann told me. “Eventually, we want to become the app to manage all your cryptos, a sort of Revolut but with a crypto DNA.”

When you first install the app, you can connect it to your existing wallets by adding public addresses. Even if you store your tokens on a hardware wallet, Spot can read the public details of your wallet to show them in the app.

“We have our own nodes on Ethereum, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Stellar and others to recover the amount on your wallet,” Steegmann said. Data is also cross-checked with third-party services to make sure that everything is fine.

Spot also lets you connect to an exchange account using API keys. Right now, the app supports Binance, Kraken, Bitfinex and Poloniex, but the company already plans to add more exchanges.

The app then gives you a detailed overview of your holdings across all services and wallets. You can see detailed charts, discover which token is performing better than the rest. It’s also one of the most well-designed mobile app I’ve seen this year — animations and interactions are gorgeous.

But Spot doesn’t rely on an API to get pricing information for each token. “We’ve rebuilt CoinMarketCap from the ground up, and we’re one of few companies that have done it,” Steegmann said. The company stores pricing information for dozens of tokens across 150 exchanges. That’s a lot of pairings.

If you tap on the Spot logo at the top of the app, you can see the maximum value of your portfolio if you cash out on exchanges with the highest prices for your tokens. The company makes sure that there’s enough volume to show you coherent prices.

Spot thinks that controlling your own data is too important to rely on API calls. When you have your own data, you don’t have any API rate limits, you don’t have a major dependency and you can scale more calmly.

Up next, you’ll be able to trade directly in the app. The company isn’t going to build its own exchange, but you can expect to buy and sell tokens on a third-party exchange without having to visit the website.

“We think that many things will be tokenized and that there’s no user-friendly interface to transfer, receive, buy and sell,” Steegmann said.

The company raised a $1.2 million round (€1.056 million to be exact) from Kima Ventures and business angels, including Eric Larchevêque and Thomas France from Ledger, Jean-Daniel Guyot, Thibaud Elzière, Eduardo Ronzano, Nicolas Steegmann, Sébastien Lucas and Nicolas Debock.

Disclosure: I own small amounts of various cryptocurrencies.

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11 Operating Systems You Can Run on Raspberry Pi

Costing just $40, the Raspberry Pi is cheap, versatile, and relatively powerful in a way its competitors are not. While most projects can be achieved with Raspbian, the Debian Linux fork, it isn’t the only option.

So many other operating systems can run on a Raspberry Pi. Just make sure you’ve got a monitor, mouse and keyboard to hand before you boot it up, and a fast microSD card to run your operating system of choice.

1. ARM-Based Linux Operating Systems

Let’s get this one out of the way first. It’s estimated that there are over 80 Linux-based distributions for the Raspberry Pi. These range from Raspbian to Linutop and even PiBang.

While Raspbian is the default option (and recommended by the Raspberry Pi Foundation), you might prefer Ubuntu MATE. To get away from the Debian-based distros, there’s a choice of Pidora (a Fedora-based distribution), and Arch Linux ARM.

Then there’s Kali Linux for pen testing, and a whole host of operating system images intended for the Pi, covering so many different purposes.

For youngsters, Kano OS is an education distro that is available for all Pi computers, not just those sold by Kano.

Note that several operating systems (including Raspbian and Ubuntu MATE) are available via the NOOBS installer.

2. Raspberry Pi Media Centers

If you want to use your Raspberry Pi as a media center there is a good selection available. Although these operating systems are invariably built on Raspbian/Debian, they’re also based on Kodi, the popular media center software. What you get with these systems is a disk image to install, just as you would any other Raspberry Pi operating system.

So, what’s available? Well, versions of OpenELEC are available for all consumer models of the Raspberry Pi.

Meanwhile, OSMC is compatible with the Raspberry Pi 1, 2, 3 and Zero, with regular updates available via the dedicated admin screen. It’s also available as an option in NOOBS.

Finally, LibreELEC is also available, with the easiest installation thanks to an SD card creation tool for Raspberry Pi 2 and 3 users.

3. RISC OS Pi

The Cambridge-developed RISC OS was the first operating system for ARM processors, developed in the 1980s. It gained widespread use in the Acorn Archimedes, found in education institutions in the mid-1990s, eventually being replaced by Windows-based PCs.

However, RISC OS remains relevant and easy to setup.

For the best results, you’ll need a mouse with a clickable scroll wheel, as the RISC OS user interface requires a three-buttoned mouse. Once installed, you’ll find free applications in Packman, and commercial options in the Store app

You can install RISC OS using the NOOBS installer tool, linked to above, or download RISC OS for manual installation.

4. Plan 9

If you’re looking for an alternative to desktop operating systems, the UNIX-like Plan 9 might be the answer. This is a barebones open source OS, designed by the same team behind the original UNIX.

The microSD card image can be written in the usual way, and booting will take you almost immediately into the Plan 9 OS.

In truth, a purely command line user interface may be difficult to get to grips with. However, if you have UNIX experience or want to sample that sort of computing, Plan 9 is a good place to start.

5. Retro Gaming Suites

Back to Linux, and there are a pair of retro gaming operating systems that you can install on the Raspberry Pi. These tools—both running on Raspbian/Debian—enable you to launch game ROMs and emulators and feature slick user console-inspired interfaces that can be browsed with a game controller.

Several retro suites are available for you to choose from.

RetroPie offers emulation of a wide collection of retro platforms from the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. Its main rival is RecalBox, which supports for some later systems that RetroPie does not.

Prefer to steer clear of these? Other options are available.

Lakka is considered ” a lightweight Linux distribution that transforms a small computer into a full blown emulation console,” while the Pi Entertainment System (PES) is a collection of emulators based on Arch Linux.

PiPlay, meanwhile, is a compact alternative that squeezes emulation of 12 platforms plus ScummVM onto your Raspberry Pi.

Remember: when using an emulator, you will usually need boot and game ROMs. To use these legally, you should have previously purchased the original systems and the games.

For more details, check our guide for everything you need to know about retro gaming on the Raspberry Pi.

6. FreeBSD

BSD is not Linux, but it looks like Linux and works in much the same way. Descended from Research Unix via the Berkeley Software Distribution (hence “BSD”), FreeBSD (or large chunks of its code) is one of the most widely used operating systems in the world.

You’ll find FreeBSD code in macOS, the Nintendo Switch, and Sony’s PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4.

Running on a Raspberry Pi is largely a command line-focused experience, albeit one with the ability to launch applications and games. A surprisingly large collection of software is available for FreeBSD, so if you haven’t checked it out already, now is the time—on your Raspberry Pi!

The dedicated RaspBSD operating system is available to download (visit the FreeBSD wiki for more information).

For an alternative, consider NetBSD.

7. Chromium OS

Based on the same code as Chrome OS, Chromium OS can be installed on netbooks, laptops… and the Raspberry Pi. With Chromium OS installed, you’ll have access to the same cloud-based tools found on Chrome OS.

In fact, there’s a project right here: build your own Chromebook with a Raspberry Pi! This project is in continuous development, so new features might be introduced (or removed) compared to the video above.

Several Chromium OS-based projects for the Pi are in progress. Perhaps the most polished is Flint OS, although you have a strong alternative in Chromium OS for All.

8. Windows 10 IoT Core

Let’s be clear: Windows 10 IoT Core for Raspberry Pi is not Windows 10 as you know it.  Rather, it is a rebadged version of Windows Embedded, and has no desktop environment. Its purpose—as evidenced by “IoT”—is as an Internet of Things OS.

This means that the Pi can be used for IoT development purposes, but for the best results you’ll need to connect remotely to the Windows 10 IoT Core device from a different PC.

From here, you can deploy software from Visual Studio to it. A Raspberry Pi under Windows 10 IoT Core will also run Python apps.

Note, however, that it’s a bit of a development cul-de-sac. While useful for a specific set of tasks, Windows 10 IoT Core isn’t a Linux replacement for the Raspberry Pi.

9. Android and Android Things

Amazingly, it’s also possible to run Android on a Raspberry Pi. That shouldn’t come as much of a surprise—Android seems to run on just about anything these days, from PCs to set-top boxes.

Various versions of Android are available for the Pi, with the current versions based on Android 7.0 Nougat. Some Android TV builds are also in development at the time of writing.

As you might expect, installing Android on your Raspberry Pi gives you access to the vast collection of Android apps and games. There may be some compatibility issues, but overall stability is good. You can find a copy of the most up-to-date version at the Android Pi Wiki.

10. AROS: AmigaOS Remake

One of the most popular operating systems of yesteryear, AmigaOS is a closed source project currently owned by Amiga, Inc, and licensed exclusively and perpetually to Hyperion Entertainment. Several clones have been developed over the years (most notably MorphOS), but only AROS is available for the Pi.

As you can see from the demo, some games and applications are available, and you should find the modern Amiga-like experience worthwhile. Download it from the AROS website.

Note that you can also emulate an Amiga on your PC, and use any of the applications and games from its vast library.

11. IchigoJam BASIC RPi

Finally, IchigoJam BASIC has been ported to the Raspberry Pi.

Designed for the low-power, sub-Raspberry Pi single board IchigoJam computer from Japan, IchigoJam BASIC RPi is designed for low level, basic computing.

The operating system was designed to make programming in the BASIC language easy, and has support for digital I/O, PWM, I2C, and UART functions.

If you’re looking for a language to get to grips with and you’re new to programming, try IchigoJam BASIC RPi.

So Many Raspberry Pi Operating Systems!

You can do almost anything with a Raspberry Pi, from running a low budget space program to streaming PC games.

While the hardware is good, the Pi’s success rests in the wide selection of operating systems available.

With Linux-based operating systems, the legendary RISC OS and AmigaOS, and even Windows 10 IoT Core, you would be hard pushed to find so many choices for any of the Raspberry Pi’s competitors.

Read the full article: 11 Operating Systems You Can Run on Raspberry Pi

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What Is the OBD-II Port and What Is It Used For?

5 Tips to Reset the Administrator Password in Windows XP

Protecting your computer with a strong, unique password remains incredibly important. You can protect your smartphone or laptop with a fingerprint, iris, and other biometric scanners. However, a strong single-use password is a vital layer of protection.

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But what happens if you forget your Windows XP password? Are you locked out of your Windows XP account for good?

Luckily, that’s not the case. Here are five ways to reset the administrator password on your Windows XP laptop or computer.

1. Reset Windows XP Password Using Ctrl+Alt+Del

If your Windows XP system is set up to log in via the Welcome Screen, there is a chance you’ll be able to log in as the system administrator. Unfortunately, this is also dependent on there being no existing password on the Administrator account.

When you boot your system, it will load the Welcome Screen. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete twice to load the user login panel.

Press OK to attempt to log in without a username or password. If that doesn’t work, try typing Administrator into the Username field and pressing OK.

If you’re able to log in, head straight to Control Panel > User Account > Change Account. Then, select the account that you’d like to change the password for, and follow the on-screen instructions.

2. Reset Windows XP Password Using Safe Mode and Command Prompt

If your Windows XP Administrator account remains frustratingly out of reach, you can attempt to reset the password using Safe Mode and the Command Prompt.

To access Windows XP Safe Mode, you need to restart your computer. Press F8 while the computer is booting. (Sometimes tapping F8 helps if you’re unsure.) Select Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

Once you enter Safe Mode, head to Control Panel > User Account > Change Account. Then, select the account that you’d like to change the password for, and follow the on-screen instructions.

Reset Windows XP Password Using the Command Prompt

There are times, however, when certain computer issues will obstruct you from changing user settings, e.g., a virus. In those cases, you can use the Command Prompt from within Safe Mode.

From within Safe Mode, press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog. Type CMD and press Enter. This opens the Command Prompt. Now, type the following command:

net user [account name] [new password]

It should look like this:

The command selects your account and sets a new password. If you want to clear the password and set a new one at a later date, use the following command:

net user [account name] ""

3. Reset Windows XP Password via Another Account

Resetting your Windows XP password via an alternative account only works if you are using Windows XP Professional.

Start by right-clicking My Computer and selecting Manage.

Then, select System Tools > Local Users and Groups > Users. Find your user account, right-click, and select Set Password.

Reset Windows XP Password via Remote User Management

If you cannot access Computer Management using your own or an alternative account, you can use remote access instead.

On a different computer (it doesn’t have to be Windows XP, but it does have to be a Windows machine), in the Computer Management window, right-click Computer Management (Local). Select Connect to another computer, then select Another Computer.

Enter the IP address of the computer you want to connect to. If you’re on the same network, it will take the form of an internal LAN address, such 192.168.x.x. Alternatively, if you know the computer name, you can use that, e.g., \\DesktopPC.

If you’re unsure and connected to the same network, select Browse, then Advanced. Finally, select Find Now to scan your local network for computers on your network.

Once you gain remote access, you can change the password by heading to System Tools > Local Users and Groups > Users. Then, find your user account, right-click, and select Set Password.

4. Reset Windows XP Password Using a Linux LiveCD or USB

If you’ve made it this far and are still locked on, this is the Windows XP password reset fix for you.

You can use a Linux LiveCD or USB to unlock Windows XP and reset your password. A Linux LiveCD or USB runs directly from the media and doesn’t require installation. Furthermore, some Linux distributions have special tools for unlocking Windows systems.

We’ve previously detailed the process of installing the Linux distribution to a CD or USB, as well as how to reset a password.

However, I’ll give you a rundown of how to reset your locked Windows XP administrator account right here.

1. Make your bootable Linux CD or USB drive.
   (Our guide to installing Ubuntu on a flash drive!)
2. Reboot the Windows XP machine. Press either F12, ESC, or Delete to choose your boot device. Select your CD or USB drive when prompted.
3. Press Ctrl + L to edit the Location Type computer:/// to see all your drives. Select your Windows installation, right-click, and select Mount.
4. Open the Linux Terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T. Run the following command to install password reset utility chntpw: sudo apt-get install chntpw. (Ignoring the period.)
5. Change the working directory using the following command: cd /mnt/Windows/System32/config
6. Retrieve a list of Windows users using the following command: sudo chntpw -1 SAM. (Ignoring the period.)
7. Find your account username. Then, use the following command to select the account: sudo chntpw -u “USER NAME” SAM. Then, type 2to enter editing mode.
8. Type a new password, hit Enter to submit, and y to confirm.
9. Reboot into Windows and use the new password.

5. Reset Windows XP Password: Full Format and Reinstallation

If nothing, but nothing else works, and you’re still somehow locked out of your account, there is only one more option: fire. Okay, not fire. But you will have to remove your hard drive from its host machine, connect it to another machine to complete a backup, and then format the drive.

Once the format is complete, you can reinstall Windows XP, and enter a new password that you can actually remember.

Windows XP Password Reset Complete

One of the tips and tricks we’ve covered should have helped you reset your Windows XP account password. Hopefully, you didn’t have to resort to a full system nuke and reinstall—that can be a real pain!

Note that even though Microsoft no longer supports Windows XP, you can still keep your Windows XP installation safe, as well as tweak Windows XP to receive security updates.

Image Credit: The Hack Today

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What Is Shadowbanning and Could It Happen to You?

In the past few years, social media platforms have experienced tremendous growth. Social networks are more than happy to welcome new users. However, more users mean it’s harder to keep track of everyone’s behavior on the site.

When it comes to social media, if you don’t play by the rules, you don’t get to use the platform. This is made pretty clear to all users. However, there has been one practice that has been shrouded in mystery for years, so much so that users are confused as to if it actually exists or not.

We are, of course, talking about shadowbanning. So, what is shadowbanning? And what can you do to prevent a social media platform from shadowbanning you?

What Is Shadowbanning?

Social media platforms can ban users in a few different ways. Either you lose access to your account for a short period of time, or indefinitely. They can also ban you from making a new account if the offense was serious enough for an IP ban, which is when the platform shuts you out based on your IP address.

These bans have one thing in common, and that is that the users know that they have been banned. This is precisely what sets shadowbanning apart. Shadowbanning, also known as ghost banning, or stealth banning, is commonly defined as the practice of blocking a user or their content, fully or partially, in a way that it will not be obvious to the user.

This way, the user retains access to their account and can see posts from other users. They can even post as usual, but the social network partially or completely “shadows” the posts, making them invisible to other users. Shadowbanning is different from Facebook’s shadow profiles, which have also been in the news lately.

The practice dates back to the 1980s when the bulletin board services started employing toggles to grant different users different privileges. One of these toggles was called the “twit bit,” which restricted a user’s privileges for not following the rules. This was to ensure that the troublemakers either left or started following the rules.

This is pretty much the concept behind the modern day phenomenon of shadowbanning. However, the mystery is whether the practice actually really exists in a tangible form.

Are People Really Getting Shadowbanned?

In the last few years, there have been numerous claims of shadowbanning across different social media platforms. With the politically charged environment making it harder than ever to distinguish genuine news from fake news, social media platforms have been accused of having a bias. And using shadowbanning to silent the opinions they dislike.

Shadowbanning on Twitter

A large number of users have claimed that Twitter has shadowbanned them. The claims began in 2016, with accusations that Twitter was shadowbanning people that supported the Republican Party in the U.S.

However, the situation escalated in 2018, after Vice News claimed that Twitter was shadowbanning prominent Republican politicians, which was soon followed by a tweet from the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump.

Twitter “SHADOW BANNING” prominent Republicans. Not good. We will look into this discriminatory and illegal practice at once! Many complaints.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2018

Twitter was quick to respond, and while Vice News said that Twitter had “fixed” the shadowbans, Twitter claimed in a blog post that they have never actually used the practice. The blog post said that Twitter instead used ranking, which ranked tweets from “bad-faith actors”.

Apparently, Twitter determines these according to several factors which have to do with the authenticity of the account, and how the one uses the account.

Twitter also claimed that political affiliation wasn’t one of these factors and that there was no shadowbanning happening, but rather just a bug which affected hundreds of thousands of accounts, not letting them appear in search auto-suggestions. Twitter resolved this issue, but the accusations continue.

Shadowbanning on Instagram

Instagram has had more than its fair share of complaints from users about how their posts reach only a few of their followers. The shadowban claims began in 2017. This happened after posts from some users stopped appearing for users that did not follow them, especially under the hashtag search.

Many users claimed that this was shadowbanning. Instagram responded with a Facebook post that essentially asked the users to make better content. The post didn’t even acknowledge the concept of shadowbanning.

We understand users have experienced issues with our hashtag search that caused posts to not be surfaced. We are…

Posted by Instagram for Business on Tuesday, February 28, 2017

However, this did not convince everyone. Instagram support has been notorious for not having any channels for its customers to reach out. If you follow some smaller accounts on Instagram with a few thousand followers, you might have seen them complain about low reach all of a sudden.

It could have happened to you, too, where an Instagram story posted by you had lesser views than you expected. This might not necessarily be shadowbanning. Instagram’s algorithm is known to be broken and difficult for users, and the number of complaints has only increased since Instagram last addressed it.

Shadowbanning on Facebook

Facebook is the world’s biggest social network. Users have accused the social media giant of prioritizing advertisers over users, for years. These concerns expanded into shadowbanning, especially in 2018. Many users complain about their posts and comments suddenly getting no reactions.

Facebook is also one of the biggest platforms for news sharing, which complicates this topic. The social media platform has the giant task of curating news content while filtering out the fake news. However, users claim that the social network has an inherent bias. Facebook has provided a clarification from their end.

Instead, we demote individual posts etc. that are reported by FB users and rated as false by fact checkers. This means they lose around 80% of any future views. We also demote Pages and domains that repeatedly share false news.

— Facebook (@facebook) July 12, 2018

In 2018, Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified in front of Congress, and said that Facebook supports free speech. He also claimed that Facebook is working on ensuring they flag only the fake news and not merely unpopular opinions. So if we are to believe Facebook, they don’t shadowban people. It’s only the flaws in its algorithm to battle harmful content that can accidentally restrict some users.

Zuckerberg has assured users that they are constantly working on the flaws. Facebook also revealed how to get banned from Facebook for breaking the rules, which offers a little more clarity.

How to Avoid Getting Shadowbanned

Every platform has a set of rules to follow, mostly referred to as community guidelines. Most of the guidelines are common sense at this point. However, there is a small chance one could accidentally violate these guidelines without realizing it.

The most important part is to not post explicit or offensive content or news from unverified sources. As far as comments go, for the most part, you just have to be nice.

Social Networks will also flag you for suspicious activity. That means you need to have your account details up to date, and your email verified. You also have to ensure that you aren’t posting in a manner that makes you look like a spammer or bot. Using banned hashtags is also a bad idea if you want to avoid being shadowbanned.

There is no real way to determine if social media networks are really trying to shut down opinions they don’t like, or just trying to ensure that the content users are putting out is safe for everyone. Either way, the onus is on us as users to be careful and stick to the rules, or we risk being silenced.

If you’re considering voluntarily quitting social media, check out our article to find out what to expect from doing so.

Image Credit: stokkete/Depositphotos

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8 Time-Saving Automator Workflows for Your Mac

Your Mac has a built-in tool called Automator that allows you to save time by automating actions. It’s was around long before other automation tools like Workflow (now Siri Shortcuts) and IFTTT.

Using Automator is simple. You don’t have to know how to program to set up your own custom workflows that perform common actions on your Mac.

Today we’ll show you some useful, time-saving workflows you can set up on your own Mac.

Basics of Setting Up an Automator Workflow

When you open Automator from the Applications folder, you’re asked to select the type of document you want to create. Take a look at our Automator introduction for an explanation of each type and example workflows.

Two libraries appear at the far left of the Automator window. Click Actions or Variables to access the corresponding library.

Drag the actions (or variables) you want to use to the workflow on the right, putting them in the order you want them run. Actions and variables have settings you can adjust for your workflow.

Once you’ve set up your workflow, go to File > Save to save it in the document format you chose when you created it. If you chose the Workflow document type that runs inside of Automator, you can save it as an Application. And if you chose Application as your document type, you can convert that to a Workflow when saving it.

For each workflow we list here, you’ll always start by creating a new document. If you’re already in Automator, go to File > New Document. Or when you open Automator, click New Document on the initial dialog box.

Then select the type of document you want to create. We suggest a type for each workflow listed here, but you can choose a different one if you want. You may have to adjust the actions you use at the beginning of your workflow to get the input you need.

1. Batch Rename Multiple Files

If you often rename multiple files at once, there are several ways to batch rename files on a Mac, including creating an Automator workflow and saving it as an application.

You can also use Automator to create a Batch Rename service. This allows you to select files, right-click on them, and select the Batch Rename service from the Services menu. Be sure to select files or folders from the Service receives selected dropdown list and Finder.app from the in dropdown list above the workflow.

When you visit File > Save and enter a name for the Batch Rename service, it’s saved in the correct place and automatically added to the Services menu.

2. Batch Convert and Resize Images on Your Mac

We’ve covered batch converting and resizing images on a Mac by creating an application in Automator.

Again, you can also create a Convert and Resize Images service using Automator that allows you to select the files, right-click on them, and select the Convert and Resize Images service from the Services menu. Be sure to select files or folders from the Service receives selected dropdown list and Finder.app from the in dropdown list above the workflow.

When you open File > Save and enter a name for the Convert and Resize Images service, it saves to the correct place and automatically joins the Services menu.

3. Keep Your Downloads Folder Clean

The Downloads folder on your Mac can quickly become cluttered. But you can use Automator to automatically clean out old items by moving them to the Trash after a specific number of days.

We describe how to do this in our guide on reducing the size of your Mac backup.

4. Quit All Apps at Once

While you work, you may not realize how many apps you have open. If your Mac doesn’t have much RAM, you might want to close some apps to free up memory. But closing each app separately is time-consuming.

You can close all apps at once and get a fresh start using an app created using Automator. Follow these steps:

1. Open Automator and create a new Application document.
2. Click Actions on the far left.
3. Go to Library > Utilities.
4. Drag the Quit All Applications action from the middle section to the workflow on the right.
5. If you want to see a confirmation box to save open documents before they close, check the Ask to save changes box at the top of the Quit All Applications action box.
6. To certain prevent apps from closing, click Add below the Do not quit box and select the app you don’t want to quit. Repeat this for each app you want to keep open.
7. Go to File > Save and save the application where you want to. You can also drag it to the Dock for easy access.

5. Open a Specific Set of Web Pages

Do you load the same set of pages every time you open your browser? You can do this automatically in your default browser by creating an application in Automator. We show you how to do this as one of the ways you can use Automator with your browser.

The Apple homepage may automatically add itself to the Address list. If you don’t want it, select it and click Remove.

6. Combine Multiple PDF Files

Do you often combine multiple PDFs into one file? Normally, you’d need an app or online tool to do that. But you can create a service using Automator that allows you to easily combine multiple PDF files into one.

Follow these steps to create a service that appears in Finder:

1. Open Automator and create a new Service document.
2. Select files or folders from the Service receives selected dropdown list and Finder.app from the in dropdown list at the top of the workflow pane.
3. Click Actions on the far left.
4. Go to Library > Files & Folders on the far left.
5. Drag the Get Selected Finder Items action from the middle column to the workflow on the right.
6. Go back to the Library on the left and click PDFs.
7. Drag the Combine PDF Pages action from the middle column to the bottom of the workflow. Select whether you want to combine the PDF files by Appending pages or Shuffling pages.
8. Go to Library > Files & Folders again on the left.
9. Drag the Move Finder Items action from the middle column to the bottom of the workflow. Select the folder you want to move the resulting PDF file to from the To dropdown list.
10. To replace an existing file with the one you create, check the Replacing existing files box in the Move Finder Items action box.
11. Go to File > Save and give the service a name. Your new service is automatically put in the correct place and added to the Services menu.

Now you can select multiple PDF files, right-click on them, and select your new service from the Services menu to combine them.

7. Create a Text File From the Clipboard’s Contents

If you often copy text and paste it into a text file to save it, you can create an application using Automator that will make this a snap.

Follow these steps:

1. Open Automator and create a new Application document.
2. Click Actions on the far left.
3. Go to Library > Utilities on the left.
4. Drag the Get Contents of Clipboard action from the middle column to the workflow on the right.
5. Go back to the Library on the left and click Text.
6. Drag the New Text File action from the middle column to the bottom of the workflow.
7. Modify the settings for your new text file in the action box, like choosing the File Format, entering the default file name (Save as), and Where to save the file.
8. Go to File > Save and give the service a name. Your new service is automatically put in the correct place and added to the Services menu.

To use it, select the text you want to save in a text file, then run your new Automator app.

8. Convert Text to an Audio File

If you have a lot of text to read, you might want your Mac to read it to you. You can create a service using Automator that converts selected text to an audio file.

Follow these steps:

1. Open Automator and create a new Service document.
2. Select text from the Service receives selected dropdown list. Leave the default of any application selected in the in dropdown list at the top of the pane.
3. Select Actions on the far left.
4. Go to Library > Utilities on the left.
5. Drag the Text to Audio action from the middle column to the workflow on the right.
6. Select the System Voice you want. Use the Play button to listen to the selected voice and see what you like.
7. Enter a file name for the audio file in the Save As box.

Now you can select text in any program, right-click on the selected text, and select your new service from the Services menu to convert the text to an audio file. The service automatically saves the audio as an AIFF file.

The icon on the file includes a Play button in the middle. Simply click the Play button to listen to the audio file.

Save Yourself Time With Automator on Mac

Automator is free and built into your Mac system. Why not take advantage of it to automate time-consuming and tedious tasks?

You can even create a desktop app from a website using Automator. Experiment with the different actions and variables to come up with your own Automator workflows. We’d love to hear about any useful workflows you create.

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How to Sync Your iPhone and iPad

The 7 Best Selling Items on eBay

Ever wondered about what to sell on eBay? Or which are the best selling items on eBay? If you have some unwanted gifts or used items in good condition lying around, you might be able to make a few dollars.

Here is a roundup of the best sellers on eBay.

1. Everything iPhone

The shopping giant is tight-lipped when it comes to the bestselling categories, but there is data available regarding eBay best sellers on an item-by-item basis.

In 2018, the most popular item on eBay was a screen replacement for the iPhone 7 (it seems iPhone users would prefer to repair old tech and save money rather than pay for a new model). The replacement screen shifted almost 100,000 units at an average price of $17.95.

Indeed, any product linked to iPhones is popular. A silicon case for the iPhone 6, 6S, and 7 sold 55,000 units, a tempered glass screen protector for the same models saw 65,000 sales, and an in-car iPhone holder shifted 28,000 units.

Even a luxury leather case for the newer iPhone X was sold more than 20,000 times.

If you have any iPhone gear lying around, especially for iPhone models that are a couple of years old, you will be able to sell it in a flash.

2. Video Games

It should come as no surprise to learn that video games and video game consoles are also some of the best-selling items on eBay.

The market is huge. Whether you want to sell the latest AAA titles at a lower price than the high street stores or you have a back collection of retro consoles and classic titles that you want to get rid of, you will always be able to find a buyer.

And if you’re lucky enough to own a rare title, you might be able to earn megabucks. In the past, we’ve seen Super Ninja Boy and Final Fantasy 2 on the SNES each sell for $2,000, while Donkey Kong 3 on the NES sold for $5,350. The most expensive title was the Asian release of Super Mario Bros on the NES. The seller listed it for $25,000.

Video games also tick a few key boxes from the seller’s perspective: They are lightweight (for cheap shipping), they are well-understood by buyers (meaning fewer returns), and they have solid profit margins.

3. Beauty Products

Beauty products are a popular gift on birthdays and at Christmas. Perfume, makeup, hair straighteners, skin cleansing packs, hair dryers… you know the sort of thing we’re talking about.

Coincidentally, beauty items are also some of the best-selling items on eBay. It suggests a lot of people are receiving unwanted presents!

In June 2018, nine of the top 15 most-bought items on eBay fell into the beauty category. They included a Moroccan oil treatment kit, 200ml of bio-oil, a makeup mirror, and men’s razor blades. The combined sales revenue of the nine items exceeded $5 million.

4. Fitness Trackers

Just because you list an item on eBay, it doesn’t mean that someone is going to buy it. If you want to increase your chances of getting a sale, you should try and offer items with a high sell-through rate.

The category with the highest sell-through rate is (bizarrely) diabetic test strips. 87 percent of all the tests listed on eBay are bought by users.

However, not too many people will have unused diabetic test strips lying around their homes, so we suggest you turn your attention to the category with the second highest sell-through rate—fitness trackers. They have a sell-through rate of 82 percent. If someone buys you an unwanted or duplicate gadget, don’t waste any time in listing it on the platform.

For the record, in third place are Apple laptops (81 percent) and fourth is video game consoles (80 percent).

5. Bicycles

Also, people selling bikes on eBay: When you state “Never crashed this bike” I know you almost certainly have, very seriously.

— Retep Retals (@retalsp) September 6, 2018

Sticking with the fitness theme (of sorts), bicycles are also one of eBay’s best-selling items. On average, users in the U.S. search for bikes on eBay once every minute.

Bicycles tend to hold their value well, making them a great product to re-sell. And if you’re competent with a screwdriver and spanner, you can even buy run-down bikes at your local second-hand shop, give them a facelift, and sell them on eBay for a tidy profit.

The sweet spot for selling bikes is around $400; if you want to sell high-end performance units, you might not see as much success.

6. Home and Garden

While the most sold single items on eBay are all linked to Apple in some way, products in the home and garden category give Apple a good run for its money.

They are also one of the best things to sell on eBay from an accessibility standpoint. Everyone can find an old wall print, lamp, cushion, or plant pot that they no longer want.

In 2018, the top-selling item in the category was a set of Egyptian bed sheets. With 40,000 units sold, it netted the seller almost half a million dollars in revenue.

Also popular were waterproof LED light strips (20,000), a gas-powered generator for outdoor use (20,000), and a Dirt Devil vacuum cleaner (5,000).

7. The Most-Searched for Items

It stands to reason that the most-searched-for items on eBay are also some of the best-selling. The popular items tend to follow trends; sunglasses are more popular in summer, everyone wants big boots in winter, and so on.

Luckily, eBay provides data about the most-searched-for items at any given time. As 2018 drew to a close, the most common searches were for Yellies and Baby Shark merchandise. And, as if to prove what we’ve already told you, Apple AirPods, the Sony PlayStation Classic, and the Nintendo 3DS all made the top 10.

So, if you’re ever stuck for some cash, head to eBay’s trending page and see if you’ve got any unwanted items that match the most popular searches.

Things to Avoid on eBay

Conversely, there are some things you should never try and sell on eBay. The items with the worst sell-through rates are diamond rings (three percent), adult t-shirts (three percent), posters (four percent), and bridesmaid dresses (four percent).

And remember, the best-selling items aren’t always the most sensible items for you to sell. Competition is higher, and profit margins are smaller.

To learn more about selling on eBay, check out our guide.

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How to Open the Task Manager on Your Mac

Wondering how to open the task manager on a Mac? You might not know where this important utility is located on macOS if you’re used to Windows, or perhaps you’ve never needed to open it before.

Either way, we’ll show you multiple ways to get to the task manager on your Mac.

Meet Activity Monitor

Before we proceed, if you’re a Mac newcomer arriving from Windows , you should know that the proper name for the macOS equivalent of the Windows Task Manager is the Activity Monitor. They perform similar functions, but they don’t actually have the same name.

With that out of the way, let’s see the ways to start the task manager utility on Mac and what it can do.

How to Open the Task Manager on Mac

The easiest way to open pretty much anything on your Mac is using Spotlight. This built-in search feature can find apps, files, and settings in just a few keystrokes.

To open Spotlight, just press Cmd + Space on your Mac. Then start typing Activity Monitor (the first few letters should bring it right up) and press Return. In a moment, you’ll see the Activity Monitor window.

Don’t want to use Spotlight for some reason? You can open the macOS task manager using the Launchpad icon on your Dock. In the list of apps, open the Other folder, and you’ll see an icon for Activity Monitor.

Finally, you’ll also find Activity Monitor if you open Finder and browse to Applications > Utilities.

Keep Activity Monitor in the Dock

Once you open Activity Monitor using any of the above methods, it will appear in the Dock at the bottom of your screen. However, this disappears once you quit the app.

If you’d like to keep the icon close at hand, right-click it and choose Options > Keep in Dock. Then the icon will remain even when the app is closed.

What Does the Task Manager Do on Mac?

You’ll find a lot of functionality similar to the Windows Task Manager in Activity Monitor. At the top, you can choose to view information about CPU, Memory, Energy, Disk, and Network usage.

Each one shows you the processes on your computer and various information about their impact.

Most of the time, the average user won’t have much reason to open the task manager on their Mac and poke around. The system should work just fine without micromanaging processes. However, it can prove useful if you have issues on your Mac.

For instance, if your system feels slow, you might be able to pinpoint it to an app using too much CPU or RAM. Weeding out apps with high energy consumption can provide better battery life for your MacBook. And you can get a handle on what apps access the internet most with the Network tab.

Now You Know About the Mac Task Manager

It’s not difficult to access Activity Monitor and see what’s happening on your Mac. We’ve shown you several shortcuts for opening it, and reviewed what information it provides.

For more information on what this tool can do, see our guide to using the Activity Monitor.

Read the full article: How to Open the Task Manager on Your Mac

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